Refinery Steam Systems Get New Corrosion Protection Technology

The new Steamate Low Salt Amine (LSA) by GE provides a cost-effective and innovative solution for refinery boilers and steam systems that is process compatible.

Apr 15, 2013

GE has launched a new corrosion protection technology specifically designed for refinery boiler and steam condensate systems, the Steamate low salt amine (LSA) product series, which offers enhanced steam-side corrosion protection while providing greater reliability to the crude unit distillation process. The Steamate is made up of proprietary blends of volatile amines in combination with GE’s unique polyamine surface corrosion inhibitor.

The Steamate is cost-effective and will provide corrosion protection of refinery boiler and steam-condensate systems while minimizing the potential for formation of corrosive amine salts in crude distillation units where utility steam is used in crude processing. Because water quality can greatly affect refinery operations, including boilers, cooling units and heat recovery systems, water can also have a direct impact on the equipment.

Corrosion controls is becoming more important as refiners around the world turn to lower-cost “opportunity” crude oil feedstocks and often work to maximize middle distillate production, especially since corrosion can threaten the reliability and safety of equipment and maintenance costs.

To help deal with corrosion, the Steamate series offers a powerful dual corrosion protection feature with a high-performance neutralizing amine package in combination with the polyamine surface corrosion inhibitor to provide enhanced corrosion protection in areas that have historically plagued refiners. Also, the refiner will not be restricted in operation because of crude unit distillation concerns around corrosive and unwanted amines being introduced from the utility steam treatment.